In Praise of Slow : How a Worldwide Movement Is Challenging the Cult of Speed

Carl Honore

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0676975720 ISBN 13: 9780676975727

Publisher: Knopf Canada, 2004

In the tradition of such trailblazing books as No Logo and The Tipping Point, In Praise of Slow heralds a growing international movement of people dedicated to slowing down the pace of our contemporary times and enjoying a richer, fuller life as a result.

These days, almost everyone complains about the hectic pace of their lives. We live in a world where speed rules and everyone is under pressure to go faster. But when speed is king, anyone or anything that gets in our way, that slows us down, becomes an enemy. Thanks to speed, we are living in the age of rage.

Carl Honore has discovered a movement that is quickly working its way into the mainstream. Groups of people are developing a recipe for living better in a fast-paced, modern environment by striving for a new balance between fast and slow. In an entertaining and hands-on investigation of this new movement, Honore takes us from a Tantric sex workshop in a trendy neighbourhood in London, England to Bra, Italy, the home of the Slow Food, Slow Cities and Slow Sex movements. He examines how we can continue to live productive lives by embracing the tenets of the slow movement.

A challenging take on the cult of speed, as well as a corrective look at how we can approach our lives with new understanding, In Praise of Slow uncovers a movement whose time has come.

Review:

"Engagingly written and filled with interesting detail... a timely manifesto for a more civilised world." (SUNDAY TIMES Culture, 6 August)

Presents an eloquent case for a thorough re-examination of priorities and shows how even subtle shifts in the way we live can have a very real effect on our well-being. (THE GUARDIAN, 20 August)

"Engaging." (THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY, 14 August)

Readable and persuasive... it is virtually impossible to read Honore's book without deciding to take things, you know, a little slower from now on. (THE IRISH TIMES, 27 August)

His advice is too grounded in day-to-day practicality to be guilty of didacticism or whimsy... read this uplifting and enlightening book very soon; but do, please, take your time. (TLS, 30 Sept)

Book Description:

Across the western world more and more people are slowing down. Slower is better: better work, better productivity, better exercise, better sex, better food.